Dingli



Dingli (Ħad-Dingli) is a village in the Northern Region of Malta, with a population of 3,865 as of 2021. It is 13 km from the capital Valletta and two kilometers (2 km) from the nearest town, Rabat. The village lies on a plateau some 230 metres above sea level, near the highest point of Malta. The area provides not only open sea views over the tiny, uninhabited isle of Filfla, but is also a good vantage point over Malta. The cliffs offer views of the nearby Buskett Gardens and Verdala Palace.

Etymology
The name Dingli is believed to be derived from the name of Sir Thomas Dingley, an English knight of the Order of St. John, who owned much of the lands in the surrounding area.

History
Rock-cut tombs dating back to Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman times have been found in the limits of Dingli. Roman baths and other remains were also found at Għajn Handful and the area of Ta' Baldu.

Ħal Tartarni
Until the early 16th century, a small village known as Ħal Tartarni existed, somewhere between Buskett and the present location of Dingli. The village was one of the ten original parishes of Malta by 1436, having a church dedicated to Saint Domenica. The original church now lies in ruins, but a new chapel with the same dedication was built nearby in 1669 and it is still standing.

The noble family Inguanez had a lot of land in the area, and employed the population of Ħal Tartarni to work the fields. Over time, the people moved closer towards the fields, abandoning the original village. The new village eventually grew to what is now Dingli. The site of Ħal Tartarni now consists of open fields.

Dingli Village
The parish of Dingli was established in 1678 and is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven. The church is situated in the centre of the village on a prominent position, overlooking all the surrounding area. The church which exists today was built in the form of a Latin cross in the beginning of the 20th century. The church was heavily modified in the middle of the same century, with the building of a new façade and extensions to the width of the main aisle. A more recent development, was the building of the dome during the 60s and 70s, which completed the construction work of the church. The same church was given the title of Arch parish church by a decree of the Archbishop of Malta on 22 August 2015, the eve of the titular feast of Dingli.

The feast of the Assumption in Dingli is celebrated on the first Sunday after 15 August. The titular statue of Our Lady in the parish is the fifth one in the island, made by Anton Busuttil in 1861. The statue is carved in wood and is used in a procession on the day of the feast each year carried by 8 statue bearers from the parish. The statue was restored twice: in 1934 and 1977.

Throughout the rule of the Order of Saint John, Dingli was considered to be safe from corsair attacks because it was impossible for pirates to land in the area due to the Dingli Cliffs.

The village began to see more development after the mid-20th century where the population doubled from 2,000 into the 21st century. Telephone service was introduced in private homes, and public transport began to reach the village itself instead of stopping at Rabat, although as of March 2017 no night buses actually go into Dingli, and inhabitants must stop at Rabat.

Education
Until the early 20th century, it was difficult to send children to school, since boys used to work in the fields while girls helped in the domestic work. This changed over time, and today everyone goes to school, on both primary and secondary levels. Some continue their studies to post-secondary and tertiary levels, from where they can attain a doctorate in their field of study.

Notable people
Dingli was the birthplace of several eminent personalities, including:
 * Dun Xand Cortis, folklore pioneer and author
 * Francis Ebejer, playwright and author
 * Walter Ebejer, Dominican friar who was ordained Bishop of a diocese in Brazil
 * Ġużè Abela, notary and Minister of Finance
 * Ian Borg, advocate and Minister of Malta Government

Main streets in Dingli

 * Triq Ġużè Ellul Mercer
 * Triq il-Buskett (Buskett Road)
 * Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
 * Triq ir-Rabat (Rabat Road)
 * Triq San Rokku (St. Roque Street)
 * Triq il-Parroċċa (Parish Street)